Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 12:21:49 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

France Bails on Hostage Rescue Mission

Posted Apr 9, 08 5:35 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – A French humanitarian team is leaving Colombia after being frustrated in its mission to aid failing hostage Ingrid Betancourt, reports the BBC. The leadership of the FARC rebels, who have held the French-Colombian presidential candidate hostage for six years, refused to allow the team to provide Betancourt with emergency medical aid. French President Nicolas Sarkozy had sent the aid workers after reports that Betancourt was seriously ill.

FARC—the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—has been at war with the Colombian government for over four decades. They recently freed Betancourt's running mate, Clara Rojas. France's foreign minister is set to travel to Colombia to try once again to secure Betancourt's release.

Source BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Our Marriage May Be Over: Betancourt Hubby

    Jul 9, 08 2:03 PM CDT
    Our Marriage May Be Over: Betancourt Hubby The husband of rescued Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt says their marriage may be over. In an interview with the Bogota newspaper El Tiempo, Juan Carlos Lecompte acknowledges what many noted when the two reunited in front of TV cameras after last week's rescue—Betancourt greeted him coldly. More »

  • Captors Turned Brutal After Betancourt Escape Attempt

    Jul 7, 08 12:50 PM CDT
    Captors Turned Brutal After Betancourt Escape Attempt Ingrid Betancourt and the other former hostages of Colombia’s FARC faced aggression and abuse from their captors—and each other, CNN reports. Rebels were relatively cordial until Betancourt and former Colombian legislator Luis Perez made an escape attempt in 2005, surviving for 5 days in the jungle before they gave up. More »

  • Betancourt Outlines 'Diabolic Behavior' By Rebels

    Jul 4, 08 4:51 PM CDT
    Betancourt Outlines 'Diabolic Behavior' By Rebels Speaking after her arrival in Paris today, Ingrid Betancourt says she was tortured during her 6 years as a hostage of Colombian rebels, the New York Times reports. “I was in chains all the time, 24 hours a day, for three years,” she said, describing "diabolical behavior" by her captors. “I tried to wear those chains with dignity, even if I felt that it was unbearable.” More »

  • Betancourt Arrives in Paris

    Jul 4, 08 11:08 AM CDT
    Betancourt Arrives in Paris Ingrid Betancourt returned to France today after 6 years in captivity in Colombia, CNN reports. "I have been dreaming for 7 years for this moment," the French-Colombian politician said at Villacoublay airport outside Paris. "I owe everything to France. You all shared my despair, my family's despair. I am carrying all of you in my heart." More »

  • Betancourt Reunited With Her Children

    Jul 3, 08 2:44 PM CDT
    The children of Ingrid Betancourt embraced their mother for the first time in 6 years today in a tear-drenched airport welcome, a day after the former presidential candidate was freed from rebel captivity by Colombia's government. "Nirvana, paradise—that must be very similar to what I feel at this moment," Betancourt told reporters as she fought back tears, her son bending over to kiss her and her daughter clinging tightly to her arm.   More »

People, one holding the latest known photo of Ingrid Betancourt, take part in a march calling for the freedom of Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages held by FARC, Sunday, April 6, 2008 in front of the...   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
A plane, left, which arrived last April 3 carrying a French mission, sits on the tarmac at Colombia's Catam military airport in Bogota, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. France called off its humanitarian mission...   (AP Photo)
People demonstrate during a march in support of French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt, Sunday, April 6, 2008, in Nice, southeastern France.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
People take part to a march for the freedom of Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, Sunday, April 6, 2008 in Paris.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Demonstrators display a banner that reads in Spanish 'Free Ingrid' during a march to demand her release and against kidnappings in Bogota, Friday, April 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
This photo released by the Colombian government on Friday, Nov. 30, 2007 shows Colombia's former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt in an unknown location.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

France  • Nicolas Sarkozy  • Colombia  • FARC  • Ingrid Betancourt  • Bernard Kouchner  • Colombian rebels  • Clara Rojas


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »